Wellbore tool and method of use

ABSTRACT

A wellbore tool includes an elongated lower body having a first section and a second section, the second section having an interior channel; an upper body having a first section and a second section, the second section to extend into the interior channel of the elongated lower body; a connection to secure the second section of the upper body within the interior channel; a seal extending around an interior periphery of the interior channel; the lower body is to be attached to a liner within the wellbore; and the upper body is to be rotated via the connection from a closed configuration to a circulating configuration; and the upper body is to be rotated via the connection from the closed configuration to a released configuration.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to well construction systems and methods and more specifically to a wellbore tool and method of use that improves the procedure for running, cementing, and releasing during wellbore construction.

2. Description of Related Art

Well drilling systems are well known in the art and are effective means to collect resources for energy use. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart 10 of a conventional well drilling operation. First, a parent casing string is cemented at a predetermined depth within a wellbore through conventional methodologies, as shown with box 13. Next, a drilled section is created below a lower end of the parent casing into which a liner is run to a total depth below the parent casing, as shown with boxes 15, 17. Next, a liner hanger is installed at an upper end of the liner, wherein the liner hanger is used to hang a liner into the parent casing and cementing operations can be performed, as shown with box 19. The work string used to run the liner is then pulled out and a liner tie-back is run to sealably join with the liner, thereby creating a single flow path from the surface to the total depth, as shown with box 21. Pressure pumping operations, as are conventional in the art, can then be completed, as shown with box 23. The liner tie-back can then be removed, and the production equipment can be run into the parent casing, as shown with box 25.

This conventional process is time consuming and accordingly it is desirable, and an object of the present invention, to provide a tool that can be used to eliminate various steps and components of the conventional system, thereby improving the efficiency and cost associated with well drilling operations.

The tool and method of use of the present invention provides for less complicated and costly operations to be performed that allows for the operator to create the same parent and liner wellbores without the need for the liner hanger, liner hanger running tool, liner hanger plug set, rill pipe wiper dart, and liner tie-back string. Accordingly, the object of the present invention is improve efficiency and cut cost associated with well drilling operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a conventional method of wellbore drilling operations;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 in a first configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 in a circulation configuration;

FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 in a closed configuration for pumping operations;

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view of the tool of FIG. 2 in a released configuration;

FIG. 7 is a close up view of the threaded connection of the tool of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method of use of the tool of FIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional well drilling operations. Specifically, the present invention provides a tool that eliminates the need for various conventional components of well drilling operations, including a liner hanger, liner hanger running tool, liner hanger plug set, drill pipe wiper dart, and liner tie back string. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 2-6 depict various views of a tool 101 for improving the efficiency of well drilling operations in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment, tool 101 includes a lower elongated body 103 removably connected to an upper elongated body 105. The lower elongated body 103 includes a first section 102 integrally connected to a second section 104, wherein the second section 104 forms an interior channel 106. The upper body further includes a first section 108 integrally connected to a second section 110, the first section 108 is configured to be secured within the interior channel 106 of the lower body via a connection 111.

In the preferred embodiment, a seal 107, 109 is engaged between an interior surface of the interior channel 106 and an exterior surface of the section portion of the upper body 105. The seal provides functional pressure integrity for the tool when engaged and pressure pumping operations are being performed. The tool 101 further includes one or more ports 113 configured to be sealed with seal 107, 109.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connection 111 in the preferred embodiment is a threaded connection 701, the threaded connection configured to provide tensile capacity that is comparable to the tensile rating of the tubular string in which the tool is run. The connector threads 703 are of enough length to allow disengagement of a seal package 107, 109 when rotated without fully disengaging or reduction in tensile capacity.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, upon a first predetermined number of left-hand rotations, the upper body is configured to extend away from the lower body, thereby placing the tool in a circulating configuration, wherein circulating operations can be performed through one or more circulation ports 113. The circulating configuration disengages the seal 107, 109 and creates a flow path for circulating above the liner.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a predetermined number of right-hand rotations closes the upper body and lower body together for a closed or pumping configuration, wherein the one or more ports 113 are sealed off. This configuration allows for multiple state frac operations to be performed as the right-hand rotations reengages the seal 107, 109.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a second predetermined number of left-hand rotations, the second predetermined number being greater than the first, fully disengages the connection 111, thereby releasing the upper body from the lower body. This allows for the upper body to be removed, as the lower body remains permanently attached to the liner within the wellbore.

In FIG. 8, a flowchart 801 depicts the method of use of tool 101. First, as is conventional in the art, a parent casing string is cemented as a predetermined depth within a wellbore and a drilled section below a lower end of the parent casing is created, as shown with boxes 803, 805. Next, a production string with the tool attached, is run into the wellbore to a position wherein the tool is above a shoe of the parent casing, as shown with box 807. Cement operations can now be performed through the production string with a calculated top of cement being at or above the tool, as shown with box 809. Next, the first predetermined number of left-hand rotations is applied to convert the tool into the circulating configuration to allow for circulating operations, such as cleaning excess cement that is in the annulus above the tool, as shown with boxes 811, 813. After completion of circulating operations, the predetermined number of right-hand rotations is applied to convert the tool back to a closed or pumping configuration, thereby allowing for pumping operations to be performed, as shown with boxes 815, 817. Finally, the second predetermined number of left-hand rotations is applied to convert the tool to a fully released configuration, wherein the upper body fully disengages from the lower body, as shown with box 819. The upper body can then be removed, and the well is ready for production tools to be run in hole without the need for drill out or hole cleaning to remove debris.

The tool and method of use described herein provides for a more efficient and cost effective process, and provides for additional benefits, including: (1) less complicated tool package and operational procedures; (2) fewer components used in the casing which provide improved reliability; (3) the conventional work string, liner hanger, liner hanger plug set and wiper darts are eliminated; (4) post cementing drill out is eliminated; (5) cementing operations are performed as a mono-bore long string; and (6) the need to cut pipe in lieu of using a liner hanger or conventional stage cementing tool is eliminated.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wellbore tool, comprising: an elongated lower body having a first section and a second section, the second section having an interior channel; an upper body having a first section and a second section, the second section configured to extend into the interior channel of the elongated lower body; a connection configured to secure the second section of the upper body within the interior channel; a seal extending around an interior periphery of the interior channel wherein the lower body is configured to be attached to a liner within the wellbore; and wherein the upper body is configured to be rotated via the connection from a closed configuration to a circulating configuration; and wherein the upper body is configured to be rotated via the connection from the closed configuration to a released configuration.
 2. The wellbore tool of claim 1, wherein the connection is a threaded connection with a plurality of connector threads.
 3. The wellbore tool of claim 1, wherein a first predetermined number of left-handed rotations opens the wellbore tool to the circulating configuration.
 4. The wellbore tool of claim 1, wherein a second number of left-handed rotation opens the wellbore tool to the released configuration.
 5. The wellbore tool of claim 1, wherein a first predetermined number of right-handed rotations closes the wellbore tool from the circulating configuration.
 6. A method of well construction, comprising: providing a tool having a lower body with an interior channel and an upper body configured to engage within the interior channel via a connection, the tool having a seal extending between the interior channel and the upper body; cementing a parent casing string at a predetermined depth within a wellbore; creating a drilled section below a lower end of the parent casing; running a production string with the tool into the wellbore such that the tool is positioned above a shoe of the parent casing; performing cementing operations through the production string; applying a first number of left-hand rotations to the upper body of the tool, thereby converting the tool to a circulation configuration; performing circulation operations to clean excess cement above the tool; applying a predetermined number of right-hand rotations to the upper body to convert the tool to a closed configuration for pumping operations; performing pumping operations; and applying a second number of left-hand rotations to the upper body to convert the tool to a released configuration, such that the upper body is released from the lower body by being completely disengaged with the connection; wherein the lower body remains attached to a liner within the wellbore.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the connection is a threaded connection with a plurality of connector threads. 